Tom & Jerry, a classic toddy

No, not the cartoon. Tom & Jerry is an eggnog variation that was created in the 1820s, basically as an advertising gimmick for a play, Tom and Jerry, or Life in London. This warm toddy may seem like a little more work, but it makes four servings. The recipe itself calls with either water, milk, or coffee – most aficionados swear by hot milk, but the coffee version is also delicious.

If prepared properly, adding the spirits and hot liquid to the egg mixture will give you a thin layer of delicate, fluffy foam, similar to a cappuccino. This translates into “don’t skimp on beating the eggs.” If you do, you won’t have fluffy foam, you’ll have a slimy mess. Not nearly as good.